Pregnant Belly Size and Shape

"Compared with everyone else in my childbirth preparation class, I look like I'm only about six months pregnant, even though I'm close to eight. My doctor says I'm doing fine, but I'm still concerned the baby's not growing enough."

Old habits die hard. If we're not eyeing the figure of the bikini-clad woman sitting next to us at the beach (those can't be real!) or sneaking a peek at the woman in the next dressing room (seriously, where is her cellulite?), we're comparing pregnant bellies at our childbirth preparation classes (hers is bigger and higher!). But don't worry. Instead, start minding your own middle.

The fact is, you can't judge a baby by its cover. Whether a woman appears to carry small or large depends less on the bulk of her baby and more on her shape, bone structure and muscle tone. For example, a woman with very tight muscles may not pop as soon or as much as a woman with slacker muscles, particularly one who's already had a baby or two. How her fetus is positioned may also affect how big or small an expectant mother looks. And, of course, there's weight gain: A bigger maternal weight gain doesn't necessarily yield a bigger baby, just a bigger mom.

The only assessments of a fetus' size that are worth paying attention to are the ones that come from your doctor. In evaluating how your baby's doing at each prenatal visit, your practitioner will measure the height of your fundus (top of the uterus) and palpate your abdomen to locate the fetus' body parts and estimate its size and position. Other tests, including ultrasounds, may also be used to approximate size.

In other words, it's what's inside that counts — and apparently, what's inside your petite belly is a baby who's plenty big enough. Keep that in mind next time you sneak a peek at the belly-next-door.

To bellies of every shape and size,

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What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel.